The Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board has unveiled plans to establish mega schools in all 16 local government areas of the state. Speaking in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, SUBEB Chairman, Prof. Femi Akinwumi, announced that these schools would be equipped with cutting-edge ICT tools, advanced audio-visual facilities, and specialized laboratories to enhance the learning experience.
According to Akinwumi, “The mega schools will feature state-of-the-art Information and Communication Technology equipment and ultra-modern audio-visual facilities, ensuring that students receive a globally competitive education.”
Each mega school will consist of 12 classrooms and accommodate a minimum of 400 pupils, providing a modern and conducive learning environment.
Prof. Femi Akinwumi stated that the mega schools would be equipped with science, computer, and Home Economics laboratories, as well as a library and modern toilet facilities with water and sanitation systems. He emphasized that all schools would be secured with perimeter fencing to ensure safety. He further revealed that school enrollment figures would be a key factor in determining the locations of the mega schools.
Additionally, Akinwumi announced that Governor Biodun Oyebanji had approved the release of over N3.5 billion as counterpart funding for the 2024 UBEC/SUBEB Intervention Fund. This initiative aims to enhance the teaching and learning environment in schools and strengthen the capacity of teachers in the basic education sector.
Prof. Femi Akinwumi stated that the initiative would sustain the government’s extensive intervention in public schools, which began in 2018 and has continued uninterrupted.
He further explained that the state government is committed to providing funds for the continuous maintenance of school infrastructure while also ensuring the digitization of the basic education sector. The digitization of school materials, he noted, is being implemented in collaboration with development partners at no cost to the Ekiti State Government as part of a trial run.
Additionally, Akinwumi revealed that SUBEB had secured approval for the training of 4,000 teachers in modern teaching methodologies during the current academic session. He highlighted that this represents significant progress compared to the previous session, where only 2,700 teachers received training.
He also noted that, following the establishment of the Graduate Teachers’ cadre in public primary schools by the Oyebanji administration, 505 teachers with university degrees recruited in 2023 have been upgraded from Grade Level 07 to Grade Level 08.
